System and method for making a building carbon neutral

ABSTRACT

An air-handling system is provided and includes an air-handling unit (AHU) which outputs exhaust air with relatively high CO2 content, a cooling tower, which is receptive of the exhaust air from the AHU and which is configured to cool water in the exhaust air and to output exhausted air with the relatively high CO2 content and relatively high water content, and a duct. The duct is receptive of the exhausted air from the cooling tower and includes an air-conversion element configured to convert the exhausted air into fuel and air with relatively low CO2 and water content and relatively high oxygen (O2) content. The duct is configured to direct the air into the AHU.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/391,521 filed Jul. 22, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to air-handling systems and, more specifically, to methods and systems for making a building more carbon neutral.

Air-handling systems are deployed in buildings to condition interior spaces in those buildings and can include air-handling units (AHUs), rooftop units (RTUs), unit ventilators (UVs), single zone units (SZUs), fan coil units (FCUs), etc. On hot days, typical systems cool the interior spaces to a lower set point temperature, shut down for a while, and then restart cooling once temperatures of the interior spaces increase to an upper set point temperature due to thermal flow between the interior spaces and ambient conditions outside. This process can continue over multiple cycles. On cold days, the typical systems operate similarly. They heat the interior spaces to an upper set point temperature, shut down for a while, and then restart heating once temperatures of the interior spaces decrease to a lower set point temperature due to thermal flow between the interior spaces and ambient conditions outside. This process can also continue over multiple cycles.

A building in which an air-handling system is deployed and in which humans occupy space, such as a commercial building or a residential building, can be considered a carbon dioxide (CO₂) factory. In these cases, CO₂ available from building exhaust is often present in concentrations that are more than twice that of ambient air. Conventional HVAC systems do not use this CO₂ and it is exhausted to the atmosphere. This effectively increases the building's CO₂ emission levels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an air-handling system is provided and includes an air-handling unit (AHU) which outputs exhaust air with relatively high CO₂ content, a cooling tower, which is receptive of the exhaust air from the AHU and which is configured to cool water in the exhaust air and to output exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and relatively high water content, and a duct. The duct is receptive of the exhausted air from the cooling tower and includes an air-conversion element configured to convert the exhausted air into fuel and air with relatively low CO₂ and water content and relatively high oxygen (O₂) content. The duct is configured to direct the air into the AHU.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the air-handling system further includes an intermediate duct by which the exhaust air from the AHU is directed to the cooling tower.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the exhaust air with the relatively high CO₂ content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and the relatively high water content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm and a water content above about 30 gm/m³.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the air with the relatively low CO₂ and water content and the relatively high O₂ content has a pressure of about 1-6 atm.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the air-handling system further includes a storage system for storing and packaging the fuel.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the air-conversion element uses sunlight to convert the exhausted air into the fuel and the air.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the fuel includes hydrocarbon fuel.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of air-handling is provided and includes outputting exhaust air with relatively high CO₂ content from an air-handling unit (AHU), receiving the exhaust air from the AHU in a cooling tower, cooling water in the exhaust air in the cooling tower, outputting exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and relatively high water content from the cooling tower, receiving the exhausted air from the cooling tower in a duct comprising an air- conversion element configured to convert the exhausted air into fuel and air with relatively low CO₂ and water content and relatively high oxygen (O₂) content and directing the air into the AHU.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the exhaust air with the relatively high CO₂ content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and the relatively high water content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm and a water content above about 30 gm/m³.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the air with the relatively low CO₂ and water content and the relatively high O₂ content has a pressure of about 1-6 atm.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the method further includes storing and packaging the fuel.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the method further includes using sunlight to convert the exhausted air into the fuel and the air by the air-conversion element.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the fuel includes hydrocarbon fuel.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an air-handling system is provided and incudes an air-handling unit (AHU) which outputs exhaust air with relatively high CO₂ content, a cooling tower, which is receptive of the exhaust air from the AHU and which is configured to cool water in the exhaust air and to output exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and relatively high water content and a CO₂ storage system for storing and packaging CO₂ drawn from the cooling tower.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the exhaust air with the relatively high CO₂ content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and the relatively high water content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm and a water content above about 30 gm/m³.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-handling system in accordance with embodiments; and

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of air-handling in accordance with embodiments.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be described below, air with high CO₂ content that is exhausted from a commercial building is sent to a cooling tower through a duct. Whereas normally the exhaust of this cooling tower would be air with high water (H₂0) and CO₂ content, it is reused and fed to an air-handling unit (AHU), which can also be referred to as a rooftop unit (RTU), a unit ventilator (UV), a single zone unit (SZU), a fan coil unit (FCU), etc. (hereinafter the phrase “air-handling system” or “air-handling unit” or their equivalents will be used to cover all of these options collectively). The AHU will generate output air with less H₂O, less CO₂ and more oxygen (O₂). The duct can act like heat exchanger prior to feeding the air to the AHU. In some cases, the AHU will generate hydrocarbon (HC) fuel as a source of energy that can be sold in market.

With reference to FIG. 1 , an air-handling system 101 of a building is provided. The air-handling system 101 includes an AHU 110 that outputs exhaust air with relatively high CO₂ content, a cooling tower 120 and a duct 130. The cooling tower 120 is receptive of the exhaust air from the AHU 110 and is configured to cool water in the exhaust air and to output exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and relatively high water content. The duct 130 is receptive of the exhausted air from the cooling tower 120 and includes an air-conversion element 131. The air-conversion element 131 is configured to use sunlight or another energy source to convert the exhausted air into fuel, such as hydrocarbon fuel, and air with relatively low CO₂ and water content and relatively high oxygen (O₂) content. An outlet 132 of the duct 130 is configured to direct the air into an inlet 111 of the AHU 110.

The air-handling system 101 can further include an intermediate duct 140 by which the exhaust air from the AHU 110 is directed from an outlet 112 of the AHU 110 to the cooling tower 120. In some cases, the air-handling system 101 can further include a storage system 150 for storing and packaging the fuel which is produced by the air-conversion element 131. A CO₂ storage system (see FIG. 3 ) can also be provided for storing and packaging CO₂ that is drawn from the cooling tower 120.

In accordance with embodiments, the exhaust air with the relatively high CO₂ content, which is output from the AHU 110, can have a CO₂ content that is higher than ambient air and may be higher than 700 ppm. The exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and the relatively high water content, which is exhausted from the cooling tower 120, can have a CO₂ content that is higher than ambient air and may be higher than 700 ppm and a water content above about 30 gm/m³. The air with the relatively low CO₂ and water content and the relatively high O₂ content, which is produced by the air-conversion element 131, can have a pressure of about 1-6 atm.

With reference to FIG. 2 , a method 200 of air-handling is provided and includes outputting exhaust air with relatively high CO₂ content from an air-handling unit (AHU) at block 201, receiving the exhaust air from the AHU in a cooling tower at block 202, cooling water in the exhaust air in the cooling tower at block 203 and outputting exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and relatively high water content from the cooling tower at block 204. The method 200 further includes receiving the exhausted air from the cooling tower in a duct at block 205. As noted above, the duct includes an air-conversion element configured to use sunlight or another energy source to convert the exhausted air into fuel, such as hydrocarbon fuel, and air with relatively low CO₂ and water content and relatively high oxygen (O₂) content. The method also includes directing the air into the AHU at block 206 and storing and packaging the fuel at block 207.

In accordance with embodiments, the exhaust air with the relatively high CO₂ content, which is output from the AHU 110, can have a CO₂ content that is higher than ambient air and may be higher than 700 ppm. The exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and the relatively high water content, which is exhausted from the cooling tower 120, can have a CO₂ content that is higher than ambient air and may be higher than 700 ppm and a water content above about 30 gm/m³. The air with the relatively low CO₂ and water content and the relatively high O₂ content, which is produced by the air-conversion element 131, can have a pressure of about 1-6 atm.

Technical effects and benefits of the present disclosure are the provision of new technology to help limit global warming by removing CO₂ from air that is exhausted from a building and to generate fuel and O₂. Air is exhausted out of this new equipment with less H₂O, reduced CO₂ (<400 ppm) and more O₂ that can be used in the AHU. Hydrocarbon fuel can also be generated as a good source of energy in, for example, the generation of electricity by a generator for building usage.

While the disclosure is provided in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiment(s) may include only some of the described exemplary aspects. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An air-handling system, comprising: an air-handling unit (AHU) which outputs exhaust air with relatively high CO₂ content; a cooling tower, which is receptive of the exhaust air from the AHU and which is configured to cool water in the exhaust air and to output exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and relatively high water content; and a duct receptive of the exhausted air from the cooling tower and comprising an air-conversion element configured to convert the exhausted air into fuel and air with relatively low CO₂ and water content and relatively high oxygen (O₂) content, the duct being configured to direct the air into the AHU.
 2. The air-handling system according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate duct by which the exhaust air from the AHU is directed to the cooling tower.
 3. The air-handling system according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust air with the relatively high CO₂ content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm.
 4. The air-handling system according to claim 1, wherein the exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and the relatively high water content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm and a water content above about 30 gm/m³.
 5. The air-handling system according to claim 1, wherein the air with the relatively low CO₂ and water content and the relatively high O₂ content has a pressure of about 1-6 atm.
 6. The air-handling system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage system for storing and packaging the fuel.
 7. The air-handling system according to claim 1, wherein the air-conversion element uses sunlight to convert the exhausted air into the fuel and the air.
 8. The air-handling system according to claim 7, wherein the fuel comprises hydrocarbon fuel.
 9. A method of air-handling, the method comprising: outputting exhaust air with relatively high CO₂ content from an air-handling unit (AHU); receiving the exhaust air from the AHU in a cooling tower; cooling water in the exhaust air in the cooling tower; outputting exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and relatively high water content from the cooling tower; receiving the exhausted air from the cooling tower in a duct comprising an air-conversion element configured to convert the exhausted air into fuel and air with relatively low CO₂ and water content and relatively high oxygen (O₂) content; and directing the air into the AHU.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the exhaust air with the relatively high CO₂ content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and the relatively high water content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm and a water content above about 30 gm/m³.
 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the air with the relatively low CO₂ and water content and the relatively high O₂ content has a pressure of about 1-6 atm.
 13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising storing and packaging the fuel.
 14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising using sunlight to convert the exhausted air into the fuel and the air by the air-conversion element.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the fuel comprises hydrocarbon fuel.
 16. An air-handling system, comprising: an air-handling unit (AHU) which outputs exhaust air with relatively high CO₂ content; a cooling tower, which is receptive of the exhaust air from the AHU and which is configured to cool water in the exhaust air and to output exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and relatively high water content; and a CO₂ storage system for storing and packaging CO₂ drawn from the cooling tower.
 17. The air-handling system according to claim 16, wherein the exhaust air with the relatively high CO₂ content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm.
 18. The air-handling system according to claim 16, wherein the exhausted air with the relatively high CO₂ content and the relatively high water content has a CO₂ content higher than 700 ppm and a water content above about 30 gm/m³. 